'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' trailer shows a brewing revolution

The new trailer for 'Catching Fire' shows the aftermath of the Hunger Games as protagonist Katniss becomes a symbol of rebellion.

The trailer for the “Hunger Games” sequel, “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” shows the world of heroine Katniss Everdeen in increasing turmoil after her victory in the deadly competition called the Hunger Games. 

(Warning: spoilers for “The Hunger Games” follow…)

The end of the first movie in the "Hunger Game" series, based on the bestselling novels by Suzanne Collins, finds Katniss (played by Jennifer Lawrence) and her neighbor (and love interest) Peeta (Josh Hutcherson) dual victors of the Games. But a joint victory is technically forbidden by the government, so Katniss and Peeta are urged to fight each other to the death. The two insist, however, that they will instead kill themselves and leave the government without a victor.

This defiance means President Snow (Donald Sutherland) is now wary of the power Katniss holds over the people – well aware that she has become a symbol of rebellion.

The trailer opens with Katniss and Peeta being showed off throughout the nation of Panem as the Games victors. Over the triumphant scene, the president says that Katniss has “become a beacon of hope” for the people and that “she has to be eliminated.”

Snow is seen chatting with  Plutarch Heavensbee (Philip Seymour Hoffman), a new character in the film.

During Katniss and Peeta’s presentation to the people, a man is taken from the crowd and beaten for flashing Katniss a gesture of support. Katniss screams as the man is taken by soldiers and presumably beaten or killed.

Also seen in the trailer is Woody Harrelson returning as Katniss’s mentor Haymitch Abernathy, Elizabeth Banks as peppy Capital staffer Effie Trinket, and Katniss’s little sister Prim (Willow Shields).

The trailer juxtaposes images of Katniss and Peeta in full expensive regalia as the common people fight Capital soldiers.

“We don’t have to destroy her, just her image,” Plutarch tells the president. “Show them that she’s one of us now… they’re going to hate her so much, they might kill her for you.”

Upcoming conflict is also hinted at as President Snow declares that all the victors of the Hunger Games need to be destroyed.

At the end of the trailer, Katniss attempts to stop Gale, a boy who lives in her district, from being beaten, and a soldier aims a gun at her.

“Go ahead,” she tells him.

Check out the full trailer.